Postcard For Reader

Day of the Wolves (& Giveaway)

This giveaway is over.

They're furry, they're fang-y, and if you're a Harry Potter fan, they live in the Shrieking Shack.

Yes, people, I'm talking about werewolves. I can't get enough of them. They're my favorite paranormal creature - they somehow always end up with better attitudes and personalities than the warlocks and the vampires. And they're sexy beasts, too!

And their authors are awesome. Take Andrea Cremer, for isntance, who stopped by yesterday - or Christine Johnson, who is stopping by RIGHT NOW. Christine is the author of Claire de Lune (there's more information on that down below) and absolutely loves Halloween!

Halloween is - and always has been - my favorite holiday. As a child, it was the fantasy of becoming something so utterly else for a night that drew me in. I loved transforming into a witch or a vampire or a fairy. And then, hidden inside the costume, there was the forbidden thrill of going door to spookily-decorated door in the dark, with the moon gleaming overhead and the sound of leaves rustling along the ground. Afterwards, there was the warm comfort of home and the wanton candy eating. On that one night, my mother always let us have as much as we wanted, and the prospect of eating ourselves sick made us giddy. With all of that simmering in my memory, decorated with jack-o-lanterns and glittery black cats, how could it not be my favorite?

It seemed writing about werewolves was just meant to be, eh?

And of course, there's also Shannon Delany, author of 13 to Life. Not only did she donate a signed copy and a pin to the Treasure Hunt, but she's also donating a second signed copy and another pin for TODAY! So at the end of this post, you'll have a chance to enter to win that. She thinks werewolves rock.

Werewolves rock! One of many reasons is because of the symbolism of transformation itself. In life we all grow and change. It’s normal. It’s natural. Sometimes it’s empowering and at others it’s painful. Mostly change is terrifying. There's that “fear of the unknown." Couple that with our primitive fear of wolves and blend it together. Now take a sip of that symbolic smoothie and you are the werewolf: someone battling against inevitable change from within, someone scared of what has to happen because the natural course of life has betrayed him or her. Someone seemingly poisoned by nature and forced to embrace their fear. To an author like myself, that whole mess simply spells fun.

We talked about Nightshade and it's amazing cast of wolves, and now we're going to talk about other books with wolves - both books coming out and books that have already released!

And at the end, you can head on over to Harmony's blog. She's picked what SHE thinks are the top five werewolves in YA and made a poll out of it for you.

But let's start it off with something a bit more... fact worthy? Here is a list of werewolf books for us lovely teenagers and WHY we should want to read them.

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klaus
Released September 17, 1999

... Viv quickly falls for sensitive heartthrob Aiden, a human--or "meat-boy," as her pack calls him.
Why: It's the first true YA werewolf novel, at least that I know of. And not only is it the first - it's GOOD.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Released January 31, 2006

Mercy Thompson's sexy next-door neighbor is a werewolf.
Why: It's got over a four rating on Goodreads; it's gotten fantastic review; and my former boss would yell at me if I didn't put Patricia Briggs on here.

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
Released July 1, 2008

But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour.
Why: This is one of those books that you kind of need to read to exist in the YA world - it's faaaantastic.

Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Released July 29, 2008

Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member—and as his mate.
Why: I've been DYING to read this for a long time. They really seem to have the pack dynamics down, and that's important for me in any werewolf book.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Released August 1, 2009

One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without.
Why: I've never read such a lyrical werewolf novel. It's nearly poetry - gorgeous.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Released December 22, 2009

Grace Divine—daughter of the local pastor—always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in his own blood.
Why: I've hear fantastic things about this! Besides, the trailer is just yummy.

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson
Released May 18, 2010

Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin.
Why: Look at that cover! I've heard it's a fast, fun read.

Don't forget to check out the Treasure Hunt for your chance to win some cool, autographed Claire de Lune stickers.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Released June 7, 2010

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris...
Why: Not only is it a take on Little Red Riding Hood, but it makes werewolves the bad guys - which is hard to find nowadays.

Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Released June 8, 2010

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return.
Why: It's probably my favorite werewolf novel ever. Just saying.

13 To Life by Shannon Delaney
Released June 22, 2010

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.
Why: It won the TextNovel contest, has gotten fantastic reviews - and hey, the author is SUPER awesome. Something's got to be good here.

The Frenzy by Francesca Lia Block
Released September 28, 2010

...something terrifying and mysterious happened to Liv that she still does not understand ...
Why: It's written in poetry. This could get interesting.

Dust City by Robert Paul Weston
Released September 30, 2010

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?

His son, that's who.
Why: Not only is it about the big bad wolf - but that cover is gorgeous. It's a win-win.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Released October 19, 2010

Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?
Why: You have one VERY sexy alpha werewolf, one gorgeous cover, and the chance to win it! What's not to love?

Which of these books have YOU read? Feel free to comment with links to reviews! And don't forget to check out Harmony's Top 5 Werewolves in YA!

And now, thanks to Shannon's generosity, here is another epic giveaway!

Quick Recap:
[1] autographed copy of 13 to Life by Shannon Delany
[1] glow in the dark pin
[1] winner in the U.S. only
ends on Halloween

How To Win:
[mandatory] fill out the form below
[+2] follow Shannon on Twitter (@Shannon_Delany)